Backpack Blowers

[Backpack Hunter]

I'm in the market for a backpack style blower. Blowing about an acre, lots of trees, and not level ground. Personal use only. Price is always a concern, but quality is more important.
Who recommends what?

 

[Ponchoguy]

I had an Echo I was going to rebuild. I'm not a fan of their product, it felt cheap to me at a premium price. I parted it out, made a few bucks.

 

[dr_clyde]

Stihl all the way. I have a BR 600 and love it.

 

[valentine]

I burned out an echo backpack blower and string trimmer both during the same season so no more of their products for me. I now have a RedMax backpack blower amd the thing is a beast. It's so powerfull that I used it to blow snow off my driveway and cars. I can create a white out with that thing. Really great machine. Had it for a few years but no problems at all. The guy who sold it to me advised to use a minimum of 89 Octane gas in it. According to what I was told, low Octane gas may cause air cooled engines to run hotter and fail sooner. That may be what happened to the two Echo machines I lost. Just to be on the safe side, I now use only premium fuel in my lawn machines. So far, I've had no problems.

-Valentine

 

[Nakashige]

Older Kawi's are amazing!!!

 

[Todd.Brock]

The BR 600 will not let you down. ThAt thing is a beast !

 

[cashishift]

Stihl all the way

 

[stihlntime]

Stihl BR 600 all the way. We also sell Echo, Shindawia and Husky but the BR 600 is king hands down. Longevity of the engine under harsh commercial conditions is amazing.The only time we see them in for service is due to ethanol fuel damaging carburetor diaphragms and fuel lines. If you should ever nerd something under warranty Stihl by far has the best warranty support. Getting Echo to warranty anything is a pain in the azz. In my area I would venture to say 9 out of 10 lawn services use the BR 600. Just shear number of dealers make it convent should you need their support. Best part it is made in the USA in Virginia Beach, VA.

 

[AA/FC]

I have the Stihl BR600 for personal use..... I love it!

I run non-ethonol fuel and I never have any problems. It usually starts on the first pull, or the scond pull for sure. Runs great!

I blow leaves, grass, rocks, snow..... whatever I want. It works great on snow up to about 3-4 inches. I rarely use my snow blower now that I have the Stihl backpack blower.

It's one of the best lawn care equipment purchases I've every made. I wouldnt give it back if you offered me double what I paid for it.

 

[calimander]

RedMax all the way!---- Researched the hell out of it. It is heavier than the stihl, but you won't have to wear It as long to get the job done.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[shoot summ]

Another vote for the Stihl BR600, I bought several cheaper blowers before I finally stepped up and bought the BR600. Wish I would have bought it first.

 

[jhelrey]

I have the Echo 770. I like the trigger throttle vs the hip one. I have had it for 4 years. Runs great and very powerful. I do have to service the carb this winter.

 

[DMAR]

I've had the Echo 770 for the past 4 years, and it is a beast. I bought it over the Stihl based on reviews and dealer recommendation (yes, he's got both Stihl and Echo...). The Echo is supposed to be more powerful, but really at that level it's a mute point. Like someone else said, it's the best yard tool I've ever bought; makes fast work of things!

Anyway, the Echo 770 has been great so far, really awesome power, and starts right up every time, one pull. I've got a mix of Stihl (chain saw, weed wacker and hedge trimmer) and Echo (chain saw, blower and hedge trimmer) power equipment, and both brands have been good. My Stihl chainsaw does start much harder (more finicky to start) than my Echo chainsaw, and the Stihl weed wacker has an annoying throttle/power lag, but is otherwise a very nice piece of equipment. I always like the idea of getting Stihl equipment, but honestly, in my experience, the Echos have been simpler/easier to run. But again, I like both brands.

 

[Neutron357]

Stihl BR 600. I have had mine for years and it works great.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Whatever you buy, use 100% synthetic 2 stroke oil. Stihl sells it be the gallon. It is expensive but it will last you a long time.

I sure wish you could buy Mobil 1 2 stroke oil.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Husqvarna. same as red max with a better strap system.

Echo 770 > br600 in my opinion.

 

[Shootingblanks]

I picked up a Stihl BR600 few months ago and that thing rocks.

Only other makes I'd even consider would be Redmax or Echo.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Wow lots of Stihl recommendations.
Is it safe to assume that the Husqvarna 560BTS is not in the same league?

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Stihl BR420 for about the last 8 years here, love it.

 

[OzarkMan]

Anything Stihl.
I too have the BR600. Always fired up on the first or second pull. The power of that thing cuts down your work time.

 

[Banshee365]

I have the Echo 770T. It's overkill for your acreage but it's a monster. The only blower more powerful on the market is the big redmax/husky unit. It's a lot waiver and burns quite a bit more fuel though. The Echo 770 had a lot more power than Stihls BR600 but the Stihl is lighter and easier on fuel with the 4-mix.

Whoever buns up an Echo product in a year is doing something wrong. I have all Echo power equipment and they hold up under daily farm use for years and years. My line trimmer is well over 10 years old and is an absolute animal.

 

[TexasT]

Go to the dealers and try them out. I like RedMax but I'm sure any of the professional units would work.

 

[M6erfan]

I've used quite a few and don't see a huge difference in any of the major brands (redmax, husky, stihl, echo). I would probably base my decision On the best dealer support I had in my area.

Most important, use NON ETHENOL fuel in any small engine/lawn equipment and you should not have any problems. If you do not have non ethenol fuel available use a good stabilizer like Sta Bil Marine 360 and mix up only enough fuel to use in 6 mos. Just about any of today's synthetic 2 stroke oil will do just fine, get whatever's cheapest and mix according to the manufactures specs. Contrary to popular belief using a richer mix is not better for the engine, actually slightly leaner proves to make better power and equal engine wear. But be accurate with your mix and try to get as close as the manufacturer recommends. Another alternative would be to buy "canned" premix sold in the stores. It's expensive but very good quality and has a 2 year shelf life AFTER its opened if kept tightly sealed.

I have a husky string trimmer that I bought 4 years ago that has only seen the canned premix (Husky's brand). I store fuel right in the tank during the off season and haven't had one problem with it. Contrast that with my brother in law and father who use plain old E10 pump gas, I've replaced carbs, fuel lines, etc. already, the only one that didn't need a lot of work was my dads Husky blower, carb's a little leaky but starts and runs like a top (for now).

 

[mikeatrpi]

Br600.

 

[Dust Devil]

If you asked the countless professional landscapers that frequent my shop, they would say....Stihl.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Wow lots of Stihl recommendations.
Is it safe to assume that the Husqvarna 560BTS is not in the same league?

580 is what you want